Driving
Posted , 22 users are following.
HI all can i ask when you started driving again is it really 6 weeks !!!
0 likes, 29 replies
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Notes on Driving
Rocketman_SG6UK Cazy1010
Posted
I was told - no earlier than 6 weeks, but also to wait until surgeon gave the OK which happened at 10 weeks.
Ignore the rules, and you are driving without insurance.
john49662 Rocketman_SG6UK
Posted
But the point Rocketman is that there are no rules. They are not in any information given to me by the hospital, nor in the Highway Code.
HLMUK Rocketman_SG6UK
Posted
Hi Rocketman, you are exactly correct. 6 weeks and consultant agreement. You will not be insured if you drive without say so from consultant/doctor 6 weeks is conservative average, for manual, not before
Rocketman_SG6UK john49662
Posted
There are rules, set by the DVLA, and your insurance company.
When I checked, the DVLA were happy following a hip replacement as long as the insurance company are OK.
My insurance company just needs me to consult my surgeon.
john26284 Cazy1010
Posted
Hi Cazy, I was told I could drive an automatic after 2 weeks or a manual after 3 weeks. I have an auto and it was my left hip replaced so had no problem driving after two weeks.
HLMUK john26284
Posted
What surgery did you have that made your consultant agree that you could drive so early? Aware that folk from all over post on this site but I think people must stress where they are and what approach to surgery they have. It really grinds my gears (politely put!)that folk come on and advise when they have had 'minimal' invasive, anterior, lateral, and anything else in between. If you want to advise, please tell the story!! 😃
john26284 HLMUK
Posted
Hi HLMUK
I had minimal invasive Left THR on the 7th January and was given the ok to drive two weeks after surgery. It was really no problem to drive an automatic at two weeks post op. Even before my surgery my consultant/surgeon said I should be able to drive in two weeks automatic or three weeks manual car. I was walking on one crutch and my PT took that away and had me walking without any aid on my two week check. I am surprized at the amount of people that have to wait so long though I appreciate we all heal differently and some surgery is different. I am not a manual worker but was back at work in London via public transport and driving at three weeks. I will say I was lucky to have selected one of the best surgeons in the UK.
jen86183 Cazy1010
Posted
I drove at 8 weeks and sat on a cushion. I did not feel comfortable before that. It is down to you and how you feel, no one else, it is the same with crutches, you will know when you are ready to go without. Everyone is different therefore, there is no real answer to these questions
dee62352 Cazy1010
Posted
8 weeks for me because it was my "driving" hip.
Guest Cazy1010
Posted
Just thought I'd mention that, when I phoned my car insurer, they said it wouldn't affect the policy unless the consultant had asked me to inform the DVLA regarding restrictions.
And yet a friend told me that when she phoned her insurer there was a lot of hassle about it.
ptolemy Guest
Posted
My insurer did not really give me hassle but did say that I should be checked off with my surgeon.
diannesk Cazy1010
Posted
My surgeon told me I could when I was comfortable enough about it and not on any strong painkillers. Fortunately my husband didn't mind being my chauffeur for awhile.
Even when I did drive, I still had to use a cane for walking. Since I had left hip replaced, no issue with automatic.
rose0000 Cazy1010
Posted
Check with your insurer. I have just had my left hip replaced, drive an automatic and started driving on day 16. I am on day 18 now and I am finding it very easy, and it is totally fine. Right hip and manual cars it will take longer.
eileen30669 Cazy1010
Posted
I live in a semi rural part of the uk and as my partner does not drive i was literally house bound. I felt ok at 4 weeks post op so i just drove to a local supermarket at first but only continued with short trips. When i went for my 6 weeks check the consultamt told me i could now drive and i told him that was ok cos i had driven there. He just laughed and said i must do whatever i felt comfortable with